William P. Mullen is the 53rd Sheriff of Allegheny County, elected to terms in 2006, 2009 and 2013 to serve the region’s 1.2 million citizens. He joined the Sheriff’s Office as Chief Deputy in 2006.

His 46-year law enforcement career began in 1969, when hired by the Pittsburgh Police as a patrol officer. He served the force 37 years, working his way through the ranks to Narcotics Detective, Homicide Lieutenant, Commander, Assistant Chief of Operations, Assistant Chief of Investigations and Deputy Chief.

He received numerous commendations for solving serial rape and murder cases and was recognized by the F.B.I. and D.E.A. for the solution of high-profile investigations.

He retired as Deputy Chief, responsible for carrying out the Police Chief’s mandates, as well as, day-to-day oversight of the bureau’s Operations, Investigations and Administration branches.

William P. Mullen
Allegheny County Sheriff
2006 - Present

Sheriff Mullen is an alumnus of South Catholic High School of Pittsburgh and the University of Dayton, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. He is a graduate of the F.B.I. National Academy, Disaster Management School and the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

As Sheriff, he attended the National Sheriffs’ Institute, participated in the Managing Police Discipline seminar and was heralded as one of the top 50 Irish law enforcement executives by the Irish Echo in New York City.

Key accomplishments include:

The establishment of a Mortgage Conciliation Program and Foreclosure Assistance Hotline reducing mortgage foreclosures from 4,727 in 2006 to 2,587 in 2014.

Implementation of a Courthouse Emergency Response Team for deployment during crisis situations in court facilities.

Enactment of strict fiscal controls limiting agency expenses, enabling the Sheriff’s Office to remain under budget each of the eight years Sheriff Mullen has been in office.

Procurement of grant funding to perform suppression operations in local communities besieged with gun violence, gang presence and drug activity.

Sheriff Mullen and his wife of 41 years, Judy, live in the City of Pittsburgh. They have two sons and a granddaughter.